Image forming apparatus performing short-range wireless communication

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus includes: a near field communication unit that makes a short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device including a display unit; a recognition unit that recognizes a portable information processing device within a communicable range through communication via the near field communication unit; a job setting unit that transmits data for displaying a job setting screen on the display unit of the recognized portable information processing device, via the near field communication unit; and a job control unit that executes a job in response to a start instruction of the job, wherein the job setting unit receives a job setting, made by using the job setting screen, via the near field communication unit after the recognition to receive the job setting from the portable information processing device, and the job control unit receives a start instruction for the job whose job setting is received.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to Japanese application No. 2013-213767filed on Oct. 11, 2013 whose priority is claimed under 35 USC §119, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus thatperforms a short-range wireless communication with a portableinformation processing device.

2. Description of the Background Art

Recently, a device using a technique of a short-range wirelesscommunication for personal authentication has been in widespread use.Specific examples of this type of device include a company ID card usinga non-contact IC card and Osaifu keitai (registered trademark) (mobilepayment service). The short-range wireless communication means awireless communication with a short communicable range in a broad sense,but it means a near field communication (sometimes abbreviated to NFC)in a narrow sense. In the NFC, a communicable range (this range issometimes referred to as a “field” below) is about 1 meter to a fewcentimeters. The NFC has standards such as FeliCa (registered trademark)and MIFARE (registered trademark). The short-range wirelesscommunication in a broad meaning includes standards such as Wi-Fi(registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) in additionto NFC. In this specification, the term of the short-range wirelesscommunication is used as a broad meaning including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Recently, a lot of portable information processing devices, such assmartphones, tablet computers, or mobile computers, have a function of ashort-range wireless communication. In addition, processing power of theportable information processing devices has been enhanced.

Under such a circumstance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2011-155495, for example, describes a device that performs a userauthentication based on authentication information for each user upongiving permission to use an image forming apparatus such as a digitalmultifunction peripheral, wherein the authentication information isretained by a device having a short-range wireless communicationfunction.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-238178, for example,describes a system in which a short-range wireless communication isexecuted between an image forming apparatus receiving a printinstruction and other image forming apparatus located at a shortdistance from the image forming apparatus, and both image formingapparatuses perform a printing operation.

Although processing power of portable information processing devices hasbeen enhanced, the processing power cannot sufficiently be utilized foran operation setting of an image processing apparatus.

For example, a digital multifunction peripheral placed in a public spacesuch as a convenience store is used by unspecified number of users. Insuch a case, if this digital multifunction peripheral is currentlymaking an operation (job) such as a copying operation or printingoperation, the other user has to wait until this job is completed inprinciple. Specifically, while a first user makes a setting of his/hercopying job by using an operation panel of the digital multifunctionperipheral, a second user cannot make a setting for his/her copying job.When the digital multifunction peripheral already starts the copying jobor the printing job for the first user, the second user cannot obtainhis/her copy output until the output for the first user is completed,even if the second user can make a setting for his/her copying job onthe operation panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is accomplished in view of the above circumstance,and aims to provide an image forming apparatus that enables aninteractive operation using an external portable information processingdevice with a short-range wireless communication.

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: anear field communication unit configured to make a short-range wirelesscommunication with a portable information processing device including adisplay unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize a portableinformation processing device that is within a communicable rangethrough communication via the near field communication unit; a jobsetting unit configured to transmit data for displaying a job settingscreen on the display unit of the recognized portable informationprocessing device, via the near field communication unit; and a jobcontrol unit configured to execute a job in response to a startinstruction of the job, wherein the job setting unit receives a jobsetting, which is made by using the job setting screen, via the nearfield communication unit after the recognition to receive the jobsetting from the portable information processing device, and the jobcontrol unit receives a start instruction for the job whose job settingis received.

In the present invention, the job setting unit receives a job settingmade by using the job setting screen through the near fieldcommunication unit, and receives a registration, indicating that thesetting for the job relating to the job setting is completed, from theportable information processing device after authentication. The jobcontrol unit receives a start instruction for the job whose job settingis received. Therefore, not only the user authentication but also theoperation for the job setting are possible by using the portableinformation processing device that can make communication through ashort-range wireless communication. Accordingly, the job setting canefficiently be made, even if plural users simultaneously use the imageforming apparatus.

Supposing a scene in which a digital multifunction peripheral placed ina public space such as a convenience store is used by plural users, forexample. It is also supposed that a portable information processingdevice carried by each user, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, ora mobile computer, can make user authentication and payment using afunction of Osaifu keitai (mobile payment service). In other words, theportable information processing device carried by each user cancommunicate with the digital multifunction peripheral through theshort-range wireless communication such as NFC, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a jobsetting screen is displayed on a display unit of the portableinformation processing device. Each user preliminarily performs a jobsetting on the job setting screen of the portable information processingdevice. After the job executed by the digital multifunction peripheralis completed, the user allows the portable information processing deviceto touch the digital multifunction peripheral to make communicationthrough the NFC, for example. Alternatively, the user makescommunication with the digital multifunction peripheral through ashort-range wireless communication with other system. Thus, the user canmake the job setting for the digital multifunction peripheral, as wellas the user authentication and payment with the function of Osaifukeitai, by using the portable information processing device.

Each user can smoothly make an operation by using the portableinformation processing device, and further, does not have to wait untilthe other user finishes a job setting by using the operation panel ofthe digital multifunction peripheral. Since the time when the useroccupies the digital multifunction peripheral only for the operationsetting can be reduced, the store having the digital multifunctionperipheral can increase utilization rate of the digital multifunctionperipheral.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a system inwhich an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention communicates with an external device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digitalmultifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a job settingscreen displayed on an operation unit of a digital multifunctionperipheral according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a job settingscreen displayed on a display unit of a portable information processingdevice according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of a jobsetting screen displayed on the display unit of the portable informationprocessing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a job statusscreen displayed on the display unit of the portable informationprocessing device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a job settingconfirmation screen displayed on the display unit of the portableinformation processing device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a process executed bya control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a continuation of the process in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a continuation of the process inFIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a continuation of the process inFIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described inmore detail with reference to the drawings. The description below ispresented by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scopeof the present invention.

<<Communication System of Digital Multifunction Peripheral>>

A digital multifunction peripheral is considered as an exemplaryembodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the presentinvention. One example of a system in which this digital multifunctionperipheral communicates with an external device will be described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a system inwhich the digital multifunction peripheral communicates with an externaldevice. In FIG. 1, digital multifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11c are the image forming apparatuses according to the present embodiment.For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 a is placed in astore A that is a convenience store. The digital multifunctionperipheral 11 b is placed in a convenience store (store B) differentfrom the store A. The digital multifunction peripheral 11 c is placed ina campus of a school. The digital multifunction peripherals that areplaced in a public space to be used by general public as described aboveare typical examples of the image forming apparatus. However, thepresent embodiment is not limited to the image forming apparatus placedin a public space. The present embodiment is applicable to an imageforming apparatus placed on a floor of an office. Basically, the presentthe embodiment is applicable to an image forming apparatus having ashort-range wireless communication function.

For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 a sends andreceives information with a mobile computer 13 a of a certain userthrough a short-range wireless communication (e.g., wireless LANcommunication based on Wi-Fi standard). The digital multifunctionperipheral 11 a also sends and receives information with a smartphone 14a of another user through a short-range wireless communication (e.g.,near field communication based on NFC standard). The digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 a also sends and receives information with atablet computer 15 a of another user through a short-range wirelesscommunication (e.g., wireless communication based on Bluetoothstandard). Similarly, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 bcommunicates with a mobile computer 13 b, a smartphone 14 b, or a tabletcomputer 15 b through a short-range wireless communication. The digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 c also communicates with a mobile computer13 c, a smartphone 14 c, or a tablet computer 15 c through a short-rangewireless communication.

The digital multifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c are connectedto an external cloud server 17 through a far field communication network(e.g., the Internet) different from the short-range wirelesscommunication. The digital multifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11c transmit status information, indicating a status of each peripheral,to the cloud server 17. The status information indicates a status ofeach of the digital multifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c, andit is information indicating whether each of the digital multifunctionperipherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c is in a normal operation status or not.The status information also includes a type of a job (copy, fax, photoservice, printing service, scan service, etc.) that is currently inprogress, waiting to be executed, or waiting for a start instruction,and which status each job is in (job status), in other words, whethereach job is currently in progress, waiting to be executed, or waitingfor a start instruction. The status information may include a time wheneach job is in the status of being in progress, in the status of waitingto be executed, or in the status of waiting for a start instruction, andthe detail (e.g., set number of copies, set number of prints, whether apost-process is done or not, a type of a post-process, 1-sided/2-sided,or detail of special function) of the job setting. The special functionincludes a function of adding margins, a function of erasing peripheralshadows, a function of copying each facing page of a bound document, andother functions.

The cloud server 17 is connected to the plural image forming apparatusesthrough a network, thereby being capable of recognizing the status ofeach image forming apparatus. The cloud server 17 stores a set-up placeas well as status information of each image forming apparatus. A workerwho sets up each image forming apparatus accesses to the cloud server 17to register the set-up place.

<<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>>

The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus according tothe present embodiment will be described. The description corresponds tothe digital multifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the imageforming apparatus, which is the digital multifunction peripheral,according to the present embodiment. The digital multifunctionperipheral 11 illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the digitalmultifunction peripherals 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c illustrated in FIG. 1.They have the similar configuration.

In FIG. 2, a near field communication unit 21 performs a short-rangewireless communication with the external portable information processingdevice. Specific examples of the short-range wireless communicationinclude NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. However, the short-range wirelesscommunication is not limited thereto. The near field communication unit21 may have any one of these communication functions, or may be adaptedto plural communications. The near field communication unit 21 mayreceive print data from the portable information processing device in aprinting service.

The control unit 23 is mainly composed of a computer as a specifichardware configuration, and also includes a memory, an input/outputcircuit, and other peripheral circuits. The computer in the control unit23 executes a control program, stored beforehand in the memory, tocontrol the digital multifunction peripheral 11. As representativefunctions of the control unit 23, a recognition unit 25, a job settingunit 27, a job control unit 29, and an image control unit 31 aredescribed. However, the control unit 23 executes various processes notbelonging to these functions.

When the portable information processing device falls within a fieldwhere the communication by the near field communication unit 21 ispossible, the recognition unit 25 recognizes the presence of thisportable information processing device, and tries to establishcommunication. For example, when a portable information processingdevice having a Bluetooth communication function falls within the field,the recognition unit 25 makes a paring process with the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11.

This is the case where the short-range wireless communication is theBluetooth. However, when a portable information processing device havingwireless LAN communication complying with Wi-Fi standard falls withinthe field, the recognition unit 25 tries to establish communication.

The job setting unit 27 transmits data for displaying a job settingscreen in response to a request from the portable information processingdevice to which the communication is established. The job setting unit27 then receives a job setting made by an operation with the job settingscreen.

The request is issued in response to a start of an application that ispreliminarily installed into the portable information processing deviceby a user for setting a job. Alternatively, the digital multifunctionperipheral 11 provides a Web site for setting a job, and after the userfinishes a login to the Web site by using the portable informationprocessing device to which the communication is established, the requestis issued.

In the case where the short-range wireless communication is the NFC, therecognition unit 25 establishes communication when the user touches theportable information processing device on a predetermined region (e.g.,some region on the operation panel) of the digital multifunctionperipheral 11. Simultaneously, the recognition unit 25 transmits datafor displaying the job setting screen to this portable informationprocessing device. The recognition unit 25 displays the job settingscreen simultaneous with the touch, since the touch action is consideredto indicate the user's intention of using the portable informationprocessing device for the operation of the digital multifunctionperipheral 11.

The job setting unit 27 receives the job setting made by using theoperation unit 33 of the digital multifunction peripheral 11.

The job setting unit 27 stores the received job setting for each of theportable information processing devices transmitting each job. The jobsetting unit 27 stores the job setting by the operation unit 33,separate from the received job settings.

The job control unit 29 waits for the job start instruction for each ofthe job settings received by the job setting unit 27. When receiving thestart instruction, the job control unit 29 starts the execution of thisjob. When a hardware resource cannot be used, such as the case where ajob now in progress is present, the job control unit 29 registers thisjob to a job queue. The job registered to the job queue is sequentiallyexecuted based on first-in first-out principle. The job setting can bechanged by the user's operation. For example, the job in the job queuecan be deleted, or the order of the jobs in the job queue can berearranged. The user can perform these operations by using the operationunit 33, or the job setting unit 27 can make these operations by usingthe portable information processing device that receives thecorresponding job.

The job control unit 29 may delete the job, when it is in the status ofwaiting for a start instruction, or when the portable informationprocessing device that receives the job setting of the job registered tothe job queue is outside the near field where the communication ispossible, before the execution of the job. Alternatively, the jobcontrol unit 29 may suspend the job until a predetermined period haselapsed. When the portable information processing device is returned tothe near field where the communication is possible before the lapse ofthe predetermined period, the job control unit 29 may continue this job,and when it is not returned, the job control unit 29 may delete thisjob.

There are jobs that can be simultaneously executed without a competitionof hardware resources, depending upon the configuration of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 and the type of the job. For example, a faxtransmission and a printing service may simultaneously be executed. Ascanning service and a printing service may also simultaneously beexecuted. The job control unit 29 manages the job queue, consideringthese conditions.

The image control unit 31 controls the image forming process for eachjob.

The operation unit 33 displays the status and the setting of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 to the user, and receives the user'soperation. A liquid crystal display device with a touch panel is appliedas hardware, for example. An operation key may also be provided inaddition to the liquid crystal display device. The operation keyincludes, for example, a numerical keypad used for inputting a number ofcopies or phone number, and a start key receiving an instruction ofstarting a job.

A far field communication unit 35 receives and transmits data, such asthe status information, with the cloud server 17 in FIG. 1. The farfield communication unit 35 also receives print data from a hostconnected to the network during the printing service.

The image forming unit 37 performs an image formation relating to thejob such as the copy, fax, photo service, printing service, and scanservice. The image forming unit 37 is roughly composed of a hardwareresource involved with reading of a document, a hardware resourceinvolved with printing of a sheet, and a hardware resource involved withprocessing, reading, and writing of image data.

<<Operation of Digital Multifunction Peripheral with PortableInformation Processing Device Using Short-Range Wireless Communication>>

Some modes in which the user of the digital multifunction peripheralaccording to the present embodiment operates and manages the digitalmultifunction peripheral by using the portable information processingdevice will be described next.

A job setting using the portable information processing device will bedescribed as a first mode.

It is supposed that the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b and thesmartphone 14 b in FIG. 1 have the NFC function, and they cancommunicate with each other.

When the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b is in a stand-by mode,the liquid crystal display device on the operation unit 33 displays aninitial screen, and the operation unit 33 receives a setting of a joband an instruction of starting the job.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of a job settingscreen 41 displayed on the operation unit 33 of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 according to the present embodiment. The jobsetting screen 41 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes operation buttons forselecting any one of the job settings of the copy, fax, photo service,printing service, and scan service, as a top menu. When each operationbutton is selected, the job setting unit 27 changes the job settingscreen 41 to a screen by which a job setting for the job correspondingto the selected operation button is performed.

The job setting screen 41 in FIG. 3 includes the operation button fordisplaying a status screen. When this operation button is depressed, thejob control unit 29 changes the job setting screen 41 to a status screendisplaying the execution status of the job. The job control unit 29receives the deletion or edition of the job that is waiting to beexecuted, on the status screen. The job control unit 29 also receives asearch for other image forming apparatuses placed around the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11.

When the user touches the smartphone 14 b on a predetermined region ofthe digital multifunction peripheral 11 b, the recognition unit 25recognizes that the smartphone 14 b is within the field by thecommunication through the near field communication unit 21. In responseto the situation in which the smartphone 14 b is newly recognized, thejob setting unit 27 transmits data for displaying the job setting screenon the display unit of the smartphone 14 b through the near fieldcommunication unit 21. This data may request to start an applicationthat is installed beforehand into the smartphone 14 b, for example.Alternatively, this data may start a Web browser installed beforehandinto the smartphone 14 b, and may provide add-on. In this case, the jobsetting screen is displayed on the display unit as the add-on on the Webbrowser, and receives the user's operation.

<Copy Job Setting>

FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory views illustrating one example of the jobsetting screen displayed on a display unit 43 of the smartphone 14 bthat is the portable information processing device according to thepresent embodiment. Operation buttons having the function same as thatof the operation buttons in FIG. 3 are displayed on a job setting screen45 a illustrated in FIG. 4, although the design is different.Specifically, the operation buttons such as the copy, fax, photoservice, printing service, and scan service, and the operation buttonfor the status screen are displayed. When any one of the operationbuttons of the copy, fax, photo service, printing service, and scanservice is depressed, the depressing operation is received by the nearfield communication unit 21.

The job setting unit 27 changes the job setting screen 45 a to a screenfor performing a job setting for the corresponding job in response tothe depressing operation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a job setting screen for the copy job.Although the design is different, a job setting screen 45 b illustratedin FIG. 5( a) can set items almost similar to the items set on thescreen that receives the copy job setting on the operation unit 33.Specifically, the job setting screen 45 b includes numerical keys usedfor setting a copy number, color mode, exposure, copy ratio, 2-sidedcopy, output, margin shift (a function of adding margins), erase (afunction of erasing peripheral shadows), and job detail settings (forchanging the screen to a setting screen for each of various details). Abutton for changing the job setting screen 45 b to a status screendisplaying the execution status of the job is arranged on a lower rightcorner.

FIG. 5( b) illustrates one example of a setting screen for various jobdetails. This setting screen includes buttons for pamphlet copy (afunction of copying each facing page of a bound document), job build,dual page copy, covers/inserts, transparency inserts, multi shot, bookcopy, tab copy, and card shot. When any one of these buttons isselected, the detail corresponding to the selected button is selected.When the selected job detail has the detail setting, the job settingscreen 45 c is changed to a screen for the detail setting.

When the user, who finishes the copy job setting on the job settingscreens 45 b and 45 c, again touches the smartphone 14 b on the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 b, the data of the job setting istransmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b from thesmartphone 14 b by the communication through the near fieldcommunication unit 21. The job setting unit 27 receives the job setting,and stores the received job setting in the memory. In the case of thecopy job, the job control unit waits for authentication for charge andthe depression of a color start key or a B/W start key (both are notillustrated) arranged on the operation unit 33. In other words, the jobcontrol unit waits for the instruction of starting the copy job. Anexecution of a walk-up job, such as a copy job, a scan job, and a faxtransmission job, is started when the color start key or the B/W startkey is depressed. On the other hand, an execution of a print job isstarted when print data and data of job setting are received.

When either one of the color start key and the B/W start key isdepressed, the job control unit 29 starts the color copy job or B/W copyjob according to the depressed key. When the hardware resource neededfor the copy job cannot immediately be used, this job is registered tothe job queue, and the job control unit 29 starts this job just afterthe hardware resource can be used.

This is the description in the case where the smartphone 14 bcommunicates with the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b through theNFC having very narrow field. In the short-range wireless communicationwith Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the field is wider than the NFC. In the NFC,communication can be made within the range from a few centimeters toabout 1 meter, even though the user does not make his/her smartphone 14b close to the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b to an extent thatthe smartphone 14 b can touch the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b.In this case, if the smartphone 14 b is within the field of the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 b, the data of the job setting screen andthe data of the job setting can be sent and received between thesmartphone 14 b and the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b.

In general, the short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fiwireless LAN has a field wider than NFC. However, the short-rangewireless communication requires troublesome operation of selecting awireless network or inputting a password. The NFC has a narrowcommunication area. However, the NFC provides the feature that the imageforming apparatus and the portable information processing device canmake one-to-one authentication with each other, since they communicatewith each other in a near field, whereby a labor of the user for theauthentication can be reduced. The short-range wireless communicationusing Bluetooth can fall somewhere between the wireless LAN and the NFC.Although a paring operation is needed at the beginning of thecommunication, the smartphone 14 b can be authenticated only by enteringthe field after the next communication.

When the operation button of the “job status” is depressed on the jobsetting screen 45 a in FIG. 4 or the job setting screen 45 b in FIG. 5while the smartphone 14 b falls within the field, this operation isreceived by the near field communication unit 21. The job control unit29 changes the job setting screen 41 to the job status screen displayingthe execution status of the job in response to this operation. The jobstatus screen is based on the status information. The status informationis managed by the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29, andindicates the status of the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b.

In the case where the job setting screens 45 a and 45 b are executed bythe installed application or add-on on the Web browser, a messageindicating that the application or the add-on cannot communicate withthe digital multifunction peripheral may be displayed, after the buttonof the job status is touched when the smartphone 14 b does not fallwithin the field. Alternatively, a message indicating that the Webbrowser is not connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 11 bthat is the Web server may be displayed. When the user returns in thefield (when the user touches in the case of the NFC) after reading thismessage, the data communication is executed.

<Confirmation of Job Status and Operation of Job>

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of the job statusscreen displayed on the display unit of the portable informationprocessing device according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the job control unit displays the job that is in progress or inthe job queue on the job status screen 47. The display of “Copying”indicates that the job is currently in progress, and the display of“Waiting” indicates that the job is waiting to be executed. The jobcontrol unit 29 also receives the operation relating to the displayedjob.

For example, when the “Detail” button is touched on the job statusscreen 47 in FIG. 6 with either one of the job in progress and the jobin the waiting status being touched and selected, this operation istransmitted to the job control unit 29 via the near field communicationunit 21. The job control unit 29 transmits the detail of the selectedjob setting to the smartphone 14 b as one of the status information, inresponse to this operation. The smartphone 14 b displays the detail ofthe job setting on the display unit 43 based on the status information.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a job settingconfirmation screen displayed on the display unit of the portableinformation processing device according to the present embodiment.

For the job whose job setting is set on the smartphone 14 b and that iswaiting to be executed, all or a part of the job setting can be changed.For the job that is currently in progress and the job whose job settingis set on the other portable information processing device or theoperation unit 33, only the confirmation of the job setting is possible.However, the job setting cannot be changed by the smartphone 14 b. Theselection of paper can be changed exceptionally. This is because, when apaper of a size other than the paper loaded on the digital multifunctionperipheral 11 b is set, the result can be outputted with the paper ofany size loaded on the multifunction peripheral 11 b. FIG. 7( a)illustrates a job setting confirmation screen 49 a by which only theconfirmation of the job setting is possible. FIG. 7( b) illustrates ajob setting confirmation screen 49 b by which the job setting can bechanged.

A “Priority” button displayed in grayout is provided at the right sideof the “Detail” button, and “Stop/Delete” button is provided at theright side of the “Priority” button on the job status screen 47 in FIG.6.

The “Priority” button moves the job, which is set on the smartphone 14b, out of the jobs waiting to be executed to the head of the job queue.The reason why this button is displayed in grayout in FIG. 6 is becausethe selected job is the job in progress. This button is also displayedin grayout when the job whose job setting is made on a device other thanthe smartphone 14 b is selected.

The “Stop/Delete” button stops the execution of the job that is inprogress, and deletes the job, which is waiting to be executed, from thejob queue. The job that can be stopped or deleted is the job set on thedevice other than the smartphone 14 b.

<Search for Other Apparatus by Use of Cloud Server>

The button of “Search” is used for an operation of searching other imageforming apparatuses set up around the digital multifunction peripheral11. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the digital multifunction peripheral 11 baccording to the present embodiment is connected to the cloud server 17via the network. The cloud server can communicate with plural imageforming apparatuses, and acquires status information of each imageforming apparatus.

When the “Search” button is depressed on the smartphone 14 b, thisoperation is transmitted to the control unit 23 through the near fieldcommunication unit 21. The control unit 23 requests to search otherimage forming apparatus to the cloud server 17 via the far fieldcommunication unit 35. The cloud server 17 returns information about theother image forming apparatus, which is present close to the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 b and which is not busy, to the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 b based on the status information acquiredfrom each image forming apparatus, in response to this request. Whenreceiving this information, the control unit 23 transfers thisinformation to the smartphone 14 b.

As described above, the user can recognize the number of jobs, which arewaiting to be executed, on the digital multifunction peripheral 11 bfrom the job status screen of the smartphone 14 b. When the waiting timeuntil the execution of the job may be long, the user depresses the“Search” key. Then, the request of searching the other apparatuses istransmitted to the cloud server 17 via the digital multifunctionperipheral 11 b. The cloud server 17 searches other image formingapparatuses set around the digital multifunction peripheral 11 breceiving the request based on the information of the set-up placepreliminarily stored. The cloud server 17 searches an image formingapparatus that is set up in the neighborhood, is not broken, has no jobthat is waiting to be executed, and is supposed to have a shorterprocessing time for the job waiting to be executed than a reference timeeven if it has the job to be executed. The cloud server 17 transmits theinformation about the corresponding image forming apparatus to the imageforming apparatus that issues the request together with the informationabout the set-up place. In this case, the cloud server 17 transmitsthese information pieces to the digital multifunction peripheral 11 b.If the smartphone 14 b has a GPS function, the user can acquire a mapdisplay or navigation service using the set-up place of the other imageforming apparatus acquired from the cloud server 17 via the digitalmultifunction peripheral 11 b.

As described above, the user acquires the information about the otherapparatuses from the cloud server 17 according to the search of theother apparatuses, whereby the waiting time of the user can be reduced,and the usability of all of the image forming apparatuses connected tothe cloud server 17 can be increased.

<Operation of Job Based on Field Monitoring>

The job control unit 29 may monitor whether the smartphone 14 b thatmakes the job setting stays within the field or not during the period ofwaiting for the execution of the job. When the smartphone 14 b goesbeyond the field, the job control unit 29 determines that the user isapart from the field, and may immediately delete the job that is waitingto be executed. Alternatively, the job control unit 29 may continue tomonitor in a fixed period of time while suspending the execution of thejob, and after the smartphone 14 b falls within the field until the endof the period, the job control unit 29 may cancel the suspension of theexecution.

When the smartphone 14 b goes beyond the field, the selection as towhether the job control unit 29 immediately deletes the job, which iswaiting to be executed, or suspends the execution of the job for a fixedperiod of time and monitors that the smartphone 14 b returns in thefield, and the length of the period may be executed by using theapplication or add-on on the smartphone 14 b.

In the case where the job control unit 29 waits for the instruction ofthe start of the job after receiving the job setting, the job controlunit 29 may monitor whether the smartphone 14 b that makes the jobsetting stays within the field or not. When the smartphone 14 b goesbeyond the field, the job control unit 29 determines that the user isapart from the field, and may immediately delete the job that is waitingfor the instruction to start. Alternatively, the job control unit 29 maycontinue to monitor in a fixed period of time while holding the jobsetting, and when the job control unit 29 does not receive theinstruction to start until the end of the period, the job control unit29 may delete this job setting.

When the smartphone 14 b goes beyond the field, the selection as towhether the job control unit 29 immediately deletes the job, which iswaiting for the instruction to start, or holds this job for a fixedperiod of time to wait for the instruction to start, and the length ofthe period may be executed by using the application or add-on on thesmartphone 14 b.

<<Process Flow>>

The process of the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29will be described. FIGS. 8 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating theprocedure of the process executed by the control unit 23 according tothe present embodiment. The flowchart focuses on the characteristicaspect of the present embodiment, and the flowchart does not illustrateother processes and the detail for changing the screen on the displayunit 43.

In FIG. 8, the control unit 23 firstly checks whether or not therecognition unit newly recognizes a portable information processingdevice by communication through the near field communication unit 21(step S11). If there is no newly-recognized portable informationprocessing device (No in step S11), the routine is looped. However,since the process is executed under a multi-task environment, the othertasks are actually simultaneously executed while the routine is looped.

If there is the newly-recognized portable information processing device(Yes in step S11), the control unit 23 establishes communication withthis portable information processing device (step S13).

Next, the control unit 23 serving as the job setting unit 27 checkswhether or not the control unit 23 receives the request for the jobsetting screen via the near field communication unit 21 (step S15). Thecontrol unit 23 receives the request for the job setting screen when theportable information processing device that makes communication with theNFC is touched. Alternatively, the control unit 23 receives the requestwhen the portable information processing device communicating with theWi-Fi or Bluetooth falls within the field and the application or the Webpage or add-on for the job setting is started by the user's operation.The control unit 23 also receives the request when the job settingscreen is changed to another screen by the user's operation of the jobsetting screen.

When the control unit 23 receives the request for the job setting screen(Yes in step S15), the job setting unit 27 transmits data for displayingthe job setting screen to the portable information processing deviceissuing the request. Specifically, the job setting unit 27 transmits theapplication in response to the request or the data for displaying theWeb page.

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit does not receive the request for the job settingscreen (No in step S15), the control unit 23 serving as the job settingunit 27 checks whether the job setting unit 27 receives the job settingor not via the near field communication unit 21 (step S21). The jobsetting is received when a “Send” button is operated on the job settingscreen of the portable information processing device.

When receiving the job setting (Yes in step S21), the job control unit29 stores the received job setting into the memory for each of theportable information processing devices that transmit the job setting(step S23).

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the job setting is not received in step S21 (No in step S21), thecontrol unit 23 then checks whether or not the control unit 23 receivesthe instruction to start the job as the job setting unit 27 (step S25 inFIG. 9). In the case of a walk-up job such as a copy job, theinstruction to start the job corresponds to the depressing operation ofthe color start key or the B/W start key, which are not illustrated, onthe operation unit 33. In the case of a print job, the instruction tostart the job corresponds to the reception of print data or job settingdata.

When receiving the instruction to start the job (Yes in step S25), thejob control unit 29 registers the job whose start instruction isreceived to the job queue (step S27). Thereafter, the routine returns tostep S15. The job control unit 29 manages the job registered to the jobqueue until the end of the execution of the job.

When the control unit 23 does not receive the instruction to start thejob in step S25 (No in step S25), the control unit 23 checks whether ornot it receives a request for the job status screen through the nearfield communication unit 21 (step S31). The control unit 23 receives therequest for the job status screen when the job status button is touched.Alternatively, the control unit 23 receives the request when the screenis changed to another screen by the depressing operation of the detailbutton or other buttons on the job status screen 47.

When receiving the request for the job status screen (Yes in step S31),the job setting unit 27 transmits data for displaying the jot statusscreen to the portable information processing device that issues therequest. Specifically, the job setting unit 27 transmits the response tothe request to the application or transmits the data for displaying theWeb page.

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 does not receive the request for the job statusscreen in step S31 (No in step S31), the control unit 23 then checkswhether or not it receives the instruction for the job operation throughthe near field communication unit 21 (step S35). The control unit 23receives the instruction for the job operation when the Priority buttonor Stop/Delete button on the job status screen 47 is operated, forexample.

When receiving the request for the job status screen (Yes in step S35),the job setting unit 27 executes a process of changing the order of thetarget job or a process of stopping/deleting the job (step S37).

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 does not receive the instruction for the joboperation in step S35 (No in step S35), the control unit 35 checkswhether or not it receives an instruction to change the job settingthrough the near field communication unit 21 (step S41). The controlunit 23 receives the instruction to change the job setting when thebutton for changing the job setting, such as the color/B/W button,2-sided button, or exposure button, on the job setting confirmationscreen 49 b is operated, for example.

When receiving the instruction to change the job setting (Yes in stepS35), the job setting unit 27 executes a process of changing the jobsetting of the target job according to the instruction (step S45).

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 does not receive the instruction to change thejob setting (No in step S41), the control unit 23 then checks whether ornot it receives a request for searching other apparatuses through thenear field communication unit 21 (step S47 in FIG. 10). The control unit23 receives the request for searching other apparatuses when the“Search” button is operated on the job status screen 47 in FIG. 6, forexample.

When receiving the request for searching the other apparatuses (Yes instep S47), the control unit 23 executes a process of transmitting therequest for searching other apparatuses to the cloud server 17 throughthe far field communication unit 35 (step S49).

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 does not receive the request for searchingother apparatuses (No in step S47), the control unit 23 checks whetheror not it receives the result of the search for the other apparatusesthrough the far field communication unit 35 (step S51). The result ofthe search for the other apparatuses is transmitted from the cloudserver 17 according to the request for searching the other apparatusesin step S49.

When receiving the result of the search for the other apparatuses (Yesin step S51), the control unit 23 transmits the result of the search forthe other apparatuses to the portable information processing devicethrough the near field communication unit 21 (step S53).

Then, the routine returns to step S15. The display 43 of the portableinformation processing device displays the result of the search for theother apparatuses (not illustrated).

When the control unit 23 does not receive the result of the search forthe other apparatuses in step S51 (No in step S51), the control unit 23checks whether or not the portable information processing device servingas the recognition unit 25 goes beyond the field (step S55). The processwhen it is determined that the portable information processing devicegoes beyond the field (Yes in step S55) will be described later as theprocess in FIG. 11.

When determining that the portable information processing device doesnot go beyond the field (No in step S55), the control unit 23 checkswhether the predetermined time has elapsed or not, while waiting for theinstruction to start the job (step S57).

When the period has elapsed (Yes in step S57), the control unit 23executes a process of deleting the target job setting from the memory asthe job control unit 29 (step S59).

Then, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 determines that the portable informationprocessing device goes beyond the field (Yes in step S55), the jobcontrol unit 29 checks which setting is made in this case. Specifically,the job control unit 29 checks whether the setting of immediatelydeleting the job registered by the portable information processingdevice that goes beyond the field is made, or the setting of deletingthe job after the predetermined period has elapsed is made (step S61).

When the setting of immediately deleting the job is made, the jobcontrol unit 29 deletes the target job from the job queue (step S63).

Then, the routine returns to step S11.

On the other hand, when the setting of deleting the job after thepredetermined period has elapsed is made in step S61, the routineproceeds to step S65 to check whether the predetermined period haselapsed or not. After the period has elapsed (Yes in step S65), theroutine proceeds to step S63 described above where the job control unit29 deletes the target job from the job queue.

If the period has not elapsed (No in step S65), the job control unit 29brings the job into a suspended state in order not to start theexecution of the job. Specifically, this job keeps in the state ofwaiting to be executed, and allows the other job to be started earlierthan this job (step S67).

Thereafter, the control unit 23 serving as the recognition unit 25checks whether or not the portable information processing device that isoutside the field returns into the field before the period has elapsed(step S69). If the portable information processing device does notreturn into the field (No in step S69), the routine proceeds to step S65described above. The routine is looped until the predetermined periodhas elapsed or the portable information processing device returns intothe field.

In the case where the portable information processing device, which istemporarily outside the field, returns into the field before thepredetermined period has elapsed (Yes in step S69), the job control unit29 cancels the suspended status of the corresponding job (step S71).

Then, the routine returns to step S15. After the suspended status of thejob is canceled, the execution of this job is started when this job'sturn comes, similar to the other jobs registered to the job queue.

This is the flow of the characteristic process of the presentembodiment, out of the processes executed by the control unit 23.

The characteristics of the present embodiment described above will bedescribed in some different aspects.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:a near field communication unit configured to make a short-rangewireless communication with a portable information processing deviceincluding a display unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize aportable information processing device that is within a communicablerange through communication via the near field communication unit; a jobsetting unit configured to transmit data for displaying a job settingscreen on the display unit of the recognized portable informationprocessing device, via the near field communication unit; and a jobcontrol unit configured to execute a job in response to a startinstruction of the job, wherein the job setting unit receives a jobsetting, which is made by using the job setting screen, via the nearfield communication unit after the recognition to receive the jobsetting from the portable information processing device, and the jobcontrol unit receives a start instruction for the job whose job settingis received.

(First Embodiment)

In the embodiment of this invention, the portable information processingdevice is carried by a user, and performs an authentication process andoperating process. Examples of the specific forms of the portableinformation processing device include a smartphone, a tablet computer,and a mobile computer. However, the portable information processingdevice is not limited thereto.

The near field communication unit indicates an interface circuit thatperforms communication with a wireless communication system havingcommunicable distance shorter than that of mobile communication such asCDMA or LTE of a cellular phone. Specific examples of the near fieldcommunication unit include the one complying with a communicationstandard such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. However, the near fieldcommunication unit is not limited thereto.

The authentication information may be stored beforehand in the portableinformation processing device, or the user may operate the portableinformation processing device to input the authentication information.Alternatively, the portable information processing device may catch acharacteristic (e.g., biological characteristic) specific to the user.

The job is a series of processes of processing and outputting input databy the image forming apparatus. Examples of the job include a copy job,a print job, a scan job, a fax transmission job, and a fax receivingjob.

The job setting screen is an operation screen by which a settingrequired for executing the job is made. For example, a copy number inthe copy job, a selection as to whether the copy job is 2-sided copy or1-sided copy, a selection of a post-process, and other settings are madeon the job setting screen.

The registration of the completion of the job setting means that the jobsetting is brought under the control of the job control unit, and thejob is in the status of waiting for a start instruction. After the job,which is waiting for a start instruction, receives the startinstruction, this job is changed to the status of waiting to be executedor to the status in progress. The status of waiting to be executed meansthe status in which the job is waiting to be executed due to the reasonthat the other job is in progress, and after the reason for waiting iseliminated, the execution of this job is started.

Each of the authentication unit, the job setting unit, and the jobcontrol unit is realized such that a computer reads a program (software)stored beforehand in a memory and corresponding to each function, andperforms a process in cooperation with a hardware resource of the imageprocessing apparatus.

Preferable aspects of the present invention will also be described.

(Second Embodiment)

The near field communication unit may be capable of communicating withplural portable information processing devices that fall within acommunicable near field, and the job control unit may transmit statusinformation, indicating whether the registered job is waiting for astart instruction, is waiting to be executed, or is currently inprogress, to each of the portable information processing devices, andmay receive an instruction of deleting or editing the job that iswaiting for a start instruction or the job that is waiting to beexecuted, from each of the portable information processing devices.

According to this configuration, the user can delete or edit the job, aswell as confirm the status of the job, by using the portable informationprocessing device.

(Third Embodiment)

The job control unit may receive an instruction of changing the order ofthe jobs that are waiting to be executed from each of the portableinformation processing devices.

According to this configuration, the user can change the execution orderof the job, as well as confirm the status of the job, by using theportable information processing device.

(Fourth Embodiment)

When the portable information processing device that registers the jobwaiting for a start instruction or the job waiting to be executed isoutside the communicable near field before the execution of the job, thejob control unit may delete this job, or brings this job into asuspended status until a predetermined period has elapsed, and when theportable information processing device returns in the communicable nearfield before the predetermined period has elapsed, the job control unitmay restart the job, while the job control unit may delete the jobunless the portable information processing device returns in thecommunicable near field before the predetermined period has elapsed.

This configuration can prevent the undesirable situation in which theuser who registers the job that is in the status of waiting to beexecuted leaves for some reason, and this registered job is left.

(Fifth Embodiment)

The image forming apparatus may further include: a far fieldcommunication unit configured to communicate with an external server,wherein the status information may include information as to whether theimage forming apparatus is in a normal operating status or not, the jobcontrol unit may transmit the status information and information about aset-up place to the server via the far field communication unit, theserver may store the status information and the set-up place informationtogether with status information and set-up place informationtransmitted from other image forming apparatus, and when the imageforming apparatus is not in the normal operating status or is in thestatus in which the number of the jobs waiting to be executed exceeds apredetermined reference number, the job control unit may control totransmit this condition to each of the portable information processingdevices that are within the communicable near field, and may search theinformation stored in the server to provide a set-up place of otherimage forming apparatus that is in the normal operating status and inthe status in which the number of the jobs waiting to be executed is notmore than the predetermined reference number, to each of the portableinformation processing devices.

According to this configuration, when the image forming apparatus doesnot normally operate or when it takes much time until an execution of ajob, the user can acquire information of the other usable image formingapparatus by using the portable information processing device.

The preferable aspects of the present invention include the one formedby combining some of the above-mentioned plural aspects.

Besides the above-mentioned embodiments, various modifications for thepresent invention are possible. These modifications should not beconstrued as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. Theaccompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a nearfield communication unit configured to make a short-range wirelesscommunication with a portable information processing device including adisplay unit; a recognition unit configured to recognize a portableinformation processing device that is within a communicable rangethrough communication via the near field communication unit; a jobsetting unit configured to transmit data for displaying a job settingscreen on the display unit of the recognized portable informationprocessing device, via the near field communication unit, the jobsetting screen being displayed for selecting and setting a job among aplurality of jobs which are capable of being processed; and a jobcontrol unit configured to execute the selected job in response to astart instruction thereof, wherein the job setting unit receives a jobsetting, which is made by using the job setting screen, via the nearfield communication unit after the recognition to receive the jobsetting from the portable information processing device, and the jobcontrol unit receives a start instruction for the job whose job settingis received.
 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the near field communication unit is capable of communicatingwith plural portable information processing devices that fall within acommunicable near field, and the job control unit transmits statusinformation, indicating whether the registered job is waiting for astart instruction, is waiting to be executed, or is currently inprogress, to each of the portable information processing devices, andreceives an instruction of deleting or editing the job that is waitingfor a start instruction or the job that is waiting to be executed, fromeach of the portable information processing devices.
 3. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the job control unitreceives an instruction of changing the order of the jobs that arewaiting to be executed from each of the portable information processingdevices.
 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, whereinwhen the portable information processing device that registers the jobwaiting for a start instruction or the job waiting to be executed isoutside the communicable near field before the execution of the job, thejob control unit deletes this job, or brings this job into a suspendedstatus until a predetermined period has elapsed, and when the portableinformation processing device returns in the communicable near fieldbefore the predetermined period has elapsed, the job control unitrestarts the job, while the job control unit deletes the job unless theportable information processing device returns in the communicable nearfield before the predetermined period has elapsed.
 5. The image formingapparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a far fieldcommunication unit configured to communicate with an external server,wherein the status information includes information as to whether theimage forming apparatus is in a normal operating status or not, the jobcontrol unit transmits the status information and information about aset-up place to the server via the far field communication unit, theserver stores the status information and the set-up place informationtogether with status information and set-up place informationtransmitted from other image forming apparatus, and when the imageforming apparatus is not in the normal operating status or is in thestatus in which the number of the jobs waiting to be executed exceeds apredetermined reference number, the job control unit controls totransmit this condition to each of the portable information processingdevices that are within the communicable near field, and searches theinformation stored in the server to provide a set-up place of otherimage forming apparatus that is in the normal operating status and inthe status in which the number of the jobs waiting to be executed is notmore than the predetermined reference number, to each of the portableinformation processing devices.